Electric coupling



C. H. TOMLINSON.

ELECTRIC COUPLING.

APPLICATION ElLEp JUNE 22, 1912. RENEWED NOV. 15, 1920.

Patented July 18, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1- C. H, TOMLlNSON.

ELECTRIC COUPLING. APPLICATIONIFILED'JUNE 22, 1912. RENEWED NOV.15, 1920.

322,905, Patented July 18,1922. r I j l 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

fag.

GwrZaaZ- (m c. HQTOMLINSON ELECTRIC COUPLING. I

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22, 1912. RENEWED NOV. 15, 1920.

?atented July 1 8, 1922;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

CHARLES H. TOMLINSON, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE TOMLINS ON COUPLER CQMIPANY, OF.MAN$FIELD, OHIO, A CORPQRATION OF OHIO.

Application filed June 22, 1912, Serial No..705,149.

To aZZrwhom it may concern Be it ,known that I, CHARLES H. ToMLrN- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mansfield, in the county of Richland and State of Ohio, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Electric Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an electric coupler, and is more particularly designated and described as a multiple circuit connector, adapted to be used in connecting a plurality of separateand distinct circuits, such, for example, as the several circuits of a multiple control system for electric cars and trains. The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved, simple device of this class which is eilective and'eiiicient in opera" tion.

More particularly the object of the invention is to "improve the several features of construction, whereby connections may be made in a more satisfactory and efficient manner, and to construct a casing which may bemore readily fitted and adapted to conform to various installations, and which may be more readily aligned and connected with a co-operating device of the same kind.

For the attainmentof these ends,-and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects, as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts generally shown inthe accompanying drawings and described in the specificatiombut more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. v

In the drawings Figural is a longitudinal section of a pair of couplers constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention and applied to car-couplers, connections also being shown to a fluid pressure control pipe line of the cars; Fig. 2 is an end view of one of the couplers removed from the car coupler with the door swung to open position; Fig, 3 is a side elevation of one of the couplers with the door swung to open position; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the electrical connections of the present embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 is a plan view of a pair of couplers in abutting position, parts being shown in.

section; Fig. 6 is a. perspective view of one of the electrical connectors of the connector-block; F 1g. 7 1s a representative view I Specification of Letters Patent.

' ELECTRIC COUPLING.

Patented July 18, 1922. Renewed November 15, 1920. Serial No. 424,253.

of one of the contact strips of the insulating nected with a number of separate receiving sockets or openings, and the present invention is adapted to overcome these'objeotions by providing a single movable member in connection with each of the plugs which carries contact connectors for each of the separate circuit connections. In addition to this, it is found more feasible in to construct the coupler with a round or cylindrical casing.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and in the present exemplifiest-ion of the invention, the numeral 10 designates generally a car coupler preferably of any well known self-aligning type, to which an electric coupler is connected. Although the couplers are used in pairs, they depend for their successful operation upon their similarity of construction, and therefore the description of one coupler will answer for any number.

This coupler is preferably formed with a cylindrical casing 11, substantiallyround in cross section and having extending. perforated lugs 12, by means of which the cou-..

pler is suspended from the car coupler 10.

The car coupler is formed with perforated lugs 13 and a bolt 14 extends through the perforation in the lugs 12 and 13, and through a downwardly projecting portion 15 of thecar coupler 10 to hold the electric coupler in position. lhe lugs 12 are spaced.

apart a distance less than the distance of the lug 13 from the supporting portion 15 of the car coupler, and a springle is disposed between the lugs 12'and 13, tending practice tip 20, the head shaped portion being preferably larger than the perforation in the ear to which it is attached, and the perforation in the other car 17 bein large enough to receive the head"19 of t e pin and to hold it firmly in position. The conical tips of the pins assist in alining the couplers.

Projecting from the outside of the casing 11, and preferably opposite the supporting lugs 12 are perforated lugs 21 in which a door 22 is pivotally mounted by means of a pin 23 which extends through the lugs.

' Disposed between the lugs 21 and surrounding the pin 23 is a coil spring 24, which is at a distance from the center of the'p'late' from a vertical center line, but is preferably in the horizontal center as viewed from the side. (See Figs. 5 and 1.) A web 28 depends from the cylindrical portion 26, forming means for pivotally mountin the latch 29. The door 22 is provided wit an opening 30 adjacent its upper end, and the latch 29 is formed with a hooked shaped portion 31, whose end is adapted to engage in the opening 30 to hold the door in its turned back position.

Disposed in the cylindrical portion 26fis a piston 32, to which is connected a piston rod 33, extending through the opening 27. into the casing 11, and a spring 34 is disposed about the piston rod 33, tending to press the piston outwardly from the casing 11. At the outer end of the cylindrical portion 26 is a removable cap 35, having an opening to admit fluid under pressure. A fluid pressure pipe 36 is commonly provided in connection with cars to operate and control the brakes or otherfiuid pressure devices which are provided with cocks 37 to eontrol the admission of pressure to an adjacent cock. A flexible hose 38 is connected to the pipe 36 between the cock37 and the end of the line, and to the cap 35 of the cylinder 26. Another cook 39 is provided between the cook 37 and the adjacent end of the pressure pipe 36 to permit fluid under pressure to be exhausted from the cylinder 26 when the cook 37 is closed and. the pipes 36 are still connected at the ends.

In the forward inner edge of the casing 11" is a groove 40, preferably beveled inwardly,

also provided with openings 28,

and disposed in the groove is suitable packing material 41 which preferably projects slightly from the face of the coupler (see Fig. 3), so that it will be engaged and compressed by the door 22 in closing to form substantially tight connections. Extending inwardly and spaced fromzthe face of the coupler are perforated lugs 42, and disposed in the end of the coupler against the lugs is'an insulating block. This block is preferably composed of separate portions or members 43, 44, which extend outwardly from the lugs 42 substantially flush with the outer face of the coupler, thereby retaining the packing 41 securely in position. This block of insulating material is secured in position in any desired or suitable manner, such, for example, as by means of bolts 45, having counter sunk heads in the face of the insulating block, and extending through the perforations in the lugs 42, the ends of the bolts being threaded to receive the nuts 46. In this manner the separate members of which the block is composed are held firmly together, and the entire block is held securely in place in the casing. The insulating block is formed with openings 47 symmetrically disposed with respect to each other and to a vertical center line, and each being 'a counterpart of the other, so that when the blocks are placed face to face, the openings will exactly correspond and register. The sides of the openings 47 are formed with grooves 48, of any desired width and depth, and extending through the openings from side to side. These grooves are preferably of a size to contain contact strips which are secured to the block, and may be for contact strips of the same size or for different sizes. In the present exemplification of the invention the grooves 48 on one side of each of the openings 47 are of the samesize, and on the other side of each opening is a groove 48 wider than the others, which is adapted to receive a wider contact strip or member. It will be noted that the outer edges of the openings 47 are preferably rounded, so that the openings will conform more nearly to the opening in the casing. The shape of the openings, however, may be varied to correspond with the size of the casing-,7 and it is contemplated that if the casing is large enough, a plurality of openlngs may be disposed upon each side of the vertical center line of the casing. It is also contemplated that any number of contact grooves may be provided along the edges of the openings through the insulating block, and they may be of any desired width to receive the contact members corresponding thereto. Different installations ofthe couplers will require different numbers of contact strips corresponding to the service to be rendered.

The contact strips on one side ofeach of menace the openings 47 are formed by bending a strip of conducting material 49 substantially at right angles, and disposing oneend of the member in one of the grooves 48, with the end extending inwardly in the coupler and the other end disposed between the block members 43 and 44. A connecting pin is secured to the end of the member 49', which is disposed between the block members and extends to the inside face .of the block 43, where it forms a terminal for electrical connection to the contact strip 49. This contact strip is preferably of spring material,

.and is so bent that the end disposed in the groove 48 is pressed outwardly therefrom, so that a good electrical contact is made with a slidable member, as hereinafter set forth. In the present exemplificationof the invention a wider contact strip 50 is rovided, which is connected in the insulating block and similarly disposed with respect thereto,

as it is adapted to form a main or bus line contactor.

In the present exemplification of the invention the grooves 48 of the adjacent openings 47 disposed on opposite sides of a vertical center line are provided with a common contact strip 51, which is bent over' the partition connecting the openings between the block members 43 and 44, with their'ends disposed in theopposite grooves 48. (See Figs. 5' and 7.) A pin 52 isconnected to the edge of one of the contact strips 51 and extends through the block 43 to the inside face thereof, where it forms a terminal for electrical connection with the strip.

' The corresponding contacts in both openings are preferably connected so that the contacts of each opening are connected with the corresponding contacts of the other openings. A diagrammatic representation of this connection is shown by Fig. 4, from which it will be seen. that the contacts 49 and 50 for each of the openings are provided with a common connection and contact strips 51 which extend into both openings 47 and require only a single terminal connection.

in order to connect the corresponding contact strips of adjacent couplers, a movable block 52 is provided, which is secured. to the piston rod 33, which extends through the opening 27 in the plate25. The cylindrical portion 26 is disposed substantially in alignment with one of the openings 47, through the insulating block in the face of each coupler, so that .the connector block 52 may be moved in accordance with the movement of the piston and the piston rod through the connector block of the coupler, and into a corresponding opening 47 in an adjacent coupler. For this purpose it is necessary that the block 52 be provide'd with a movable conductor of sufficient length to form connections between the contact strips inthe face of one coupler and the contact These bars 53 are the contacts'of the if only one of the 52 is provided with a plurality of connecting bars 53, which project slightly from the lat eral' faces of the block and are of such a width that they will enter the grooves 48 in the sides of the openings 47 to make frictional connection with the contact strips 49. preferably rounded at the ends, as at 54' (see Fig. 6), and are formed with perforations 55 through which pins 56 may be inserted to connect the bars in the block 52. Any other suitable method of connecting the bars to the block may be employed, as long as they are firmly connected thereto. A wider contact strip or member 57 (see Fig. 1) is provided, which is secured to the face of the blockin-any suitable manner, as for example, by means of screws:

The forward end of the insulating block 52 is preferably formed with beveled or rounded edges 58, by means of which the blocks may enter the corresponding opening in an adjacent coupler more easily. It is evident that since each coupler is provided with but a single connector block 52, the connections from the counterpart openings must be. symmetrical in order that the electrical connectionsmay still be made between adjacent couplers, even connector blocks is projected from one coupler into the other. It is contemplated, however, that in actual operation .the connector blocks of both couplers will be moved in position with the other coupler, so that all of the contact connections may be insured. This is a connection protected against the breaking or dislocation of one of the contact members in one of the openings.

I To operate the connector blocks whereby they will be moved in connection with the contact strips of an adjacent coupler, it is necessary only to open the cook 37 in the pressure line 36, whereuponthe fluid pressure will be exerted upon the piston 32, causing the block 52 to be projected through the opening in an adjacent coupler against thepressure of the spring 34. When the pressure lines of two cars are connected, it is blocks 52 are not provided with conductors, so that contact must be made with the sides of the block in order to cross circuit connec-- tions. Also the block member 445s disposed over the ends of the contact strips so that it is necessary to have a connecting bar 53 some distance within the openings 4:7 inorder to form electrical connections between the corresponding stripsQ This is a connection protected against short-circuiting, and even with the door 22 in open position, thereis little danger of difficulty arising from the short-circuiting of the connections. By having a single connector block for each of the couplers, there is no danger of one of the connectors becoming bent and thereby preventing the connector block from being inserted within the corresponding opening.

The action of the connector blocks 52 is direct, since they are disposed directly in line with the piston rod and will receive the full pressure applied to the piston.

While I have thus described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is evident that those skilled in the arts to which this relates may make various changes in the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts without departing from.

the spirit and scope of my invention.

hat I claim is 1. In an electric coupler, the combination with a casing open at the forward end, of a door hinged below the casing at the forward end with an opening through the door at its outer edge, and a latch pivoted on the casing at the other edge with a hooked end to pass under the door and to engage in the opening at the outer end of thedoor to hold the door in open position and to prevent its disengagement.

2. In an electric coupler a casing formed at the outer end with an undercut groove, a yielding packing material held therein by the groove and adapted to project slightly from the end of the casing, and a springpressed door moving in a position over the end of the casing in contact with the pack ing to compress it to form thereby a watertight joint for the casing.

8. In a multiple electric coupler, the combination with an open casing formed with inwardly projecting perforated lugs spaced from the open end thereof, and a groove undercut with respect to the face of the casing,

yielding packing material disposed in the groove and extending from the open end thereof, an insulating block disposed in the open end against the said lugs and in contact with inner edge of the packing material to hold it in the said groove, and means for securing the insulating block within the open end of the casing. f l

4. In an electric coupler adapted to be used with a counterpart coupler, fixed contacts therein, a connector comprising a block counterpart coupler and there to make electrical connection with its corresponding fixed contact.

7 5. In an electric coupler adapted to cooperate with an opposite counterpart coupier, a'fixed contact therein, a. connector comprising a movable block of insulating material with beveledfront edges, and strips of conducting material terminating short of the end of the block and fixedly secured to the sides of the block and project-ing therefrom, the side portions of the strips being of .sufiicient length when moved to make electrical connection between the fixed contacts of two adjacent couplers;

6. In an electric coupler, the combination with a casing open at one end, of a block of insulating material disposed in the end of the casing having counterpart openings, and parallel slots'in the sides of the openings and contact members secured to the block each of which lies in a slot in two of the openings.

7. In an electric coupler, the combination with a casing open at one end,of a block of insulating material disposed in the end of the casing having two counterpart openings with parallel slots extending through the blockat the sides of the opening, and spring contact strips secured to the sides of the slots in the block and connected with strips in the counterpart opening to make double connections.

-8. In an electric coupler, the combination with a casing open at one end, of a block of insulating material disposed in the end of the casing having openings symmetrical with respect to arcenter line, and contact strips extending over a partition between adjacent openings and disposed with the ends in both openings at the sides thereof.

9. In an electric coupler, the combination with a casing open at one end, of a block of insulating material disposed in the end of the casing having symmetrically disposed openings, and contact members secured to a partition between adjacent openings with the ends extending from the sides of both openmgs. V

10. An electric coupler adapted to be used with a counterpart coupler comprising a block of insulatin material having symmetrically disposed openings, a plurality of contact strips secured to the block in each opening, and slidable conductors to contact with the several strips to connect the strips in the opening of one block with opposite symmetric-ally disposed strips in another symmetrically dis )osed opening in the adjacent or opposite b ock.

ltO

11. An electric coupler adapted to be used with a counterpart coupler comprising a block of insulating material having symmetrically disposed openings, a plurality of corresponding contact strips secured to the block and disposed in each opening, and an insulating connector block movable through one of the openings. in the insulating material and having electrical conductors which contact at all times with the said strips of its coupler and movable with the block to form electrical connections with corresponding contact strips of an adjacent coupler.

12. In an electric coupler, the combination with a casing open at one end, of a block of insulating material disposed in the end of the casing having'symmetrically disposed openings, a plurality of contact strips secured to the block and disposed in each opening, and an insulating connector block greater in length'than the thickness of the insulating material having conductors which contact with 'said strips to form electrical connections, disposed in-and movable through the, openings to contact-with corresponding strips in an adjacent coupler to form electrical connections.

13. In an electric coupler having a casing with aligning means andadapted to co-- operate with a counterpart coupler,-the combination with insulating blocks disposed in the end of the coupler having counterpart openings, of contact strips disposed in the openings at the sides thereof, an insulating connector block movable through the opening of one insulating block into the corresponding opening of an adjacent aligned coupler, and conductors disposed on the sides of the connector block contacting with the said contact strips in the openings to complete electrical; connections between the couplers.

14. An electric coupler adapted to cooperate with a counterpart coupler comprising an insulating block having counterpart openingstherethrough, electrical contacting members in the-openings each connected to a corresponding contact member in each one of the counterpart openings, a connector block movable only in one of said openings, electrical connectors'in contact with said members and of a length to remain in contact when the said block is moved outwardly from one coupler and into. another one, the other couplerhaving a correspondingly movable connector block whereby two connections are made for each coupler, and means to move the said connector block.-

15. In an electrical coupler, the combination with a casing open at one end, an insulating block disposed in the open end and having counterpart openings therethrough, electrical'contact members in the openings, a connector block movable in said openings, electrical connectors in'contact with said strips and of a length to remain in contact when vthe said block is moved outwardly disposed in the open-end and comprising a plurality of separate members connected to gether, and having counterpart openings therethrough, and contact strips .folded over the partition between adjacent openin between the members of the said block with the ends extending from the sides of said openings.

17. In an electrical coupler, a casing open at one end, a block of insulating material disposed'in the open end and comprising a plurality of separate members connected together, and having counterpart openings therethrough, contact strips foldedover the partition between adjacent openings between the members of the said block with the ends extending from the sides of said openings, and means extending from the said contact strips to the under side of the block constituting electrical terminals therefor.

18. In an electrical coupler, a casing open at one end, a block of insulating material disposed in the open end and comprising a plurality of separate members connected together, and having counterpart openings therethrough, contact strips connected to the blocks and disposed at one side in the openings, other contact strips folded over the partition between adjacent openings between the members of said block with the ends extending from the other side in the openings, means connected to the strips extending through the block to the back thereof and constituting electric te-rminals'therefor, and

conductors to connect the corresponding first contact strips secured'to the block in eachopening, and an insulated connector blockhaving conductors which contact with said strips to form electrical connections disposed in and movable through the openings of one block into a corresponding symmetrical opening of an opposite block, so that a double block connection is made between two cooperating couplers. Y

20. An electric coupler adapted to cooperate with a counterpart coupler, comprising a casing, a block of insulating material disposed in the end of the casing having symmetrically disposed openin s, a plurality of contact strips secured to t e .block in each opening, an insulated connector block have ing conductors which contact with said strips to form electrical connections disposed in and movable through the openings of one block into a corresponding symmetrical opening of an opposite block so that a double block connection is made between two cooperating couplers, and means mounted on said casing to advance and retract said connector block from the opening of the opposite coupler.

r 21. An electric multiple coupler adapted to be used with a counterpart coupler each of which is formed with a casing having a reduced portion at one end, a connector movable in the casing, electrical'connection bars carried by the connector, and a piston movable in the reduced portion and connected to the connector for moving it from its casing into and out of the casing of an adjacent coupler, 22. An electric coupler adapted to cooperate with a counterpart coupler, comprising a casing, insulating material disposed within the casing having symmetrically disposed contacts, and an insulated connector block having conductors thereon which are adapted to make connect-ion with said contacts and movable from one coupler into an adjacent coupler sothat a double connection is made between contacts of two cooperating couplers.

23. An electric coupler adapted to cooperate with a counterpart coupler comprising a casing, insulating material therein with contacts symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of a vertical center line, an insulated connector block having conductors which are adapted to make connection with said contacts within the casing and is movable from the casing of one coupler to make connection with the contacts of an, adjacent coupler on one side of the vertical center line so that a double connection is made by the two connector blocks between two cooperating couplers, and means in connection with each casneaaeoa ing to advance and retard saidconnector block from the opening of the opposite couler. P 24:. In a coupling for electric train line circuits, the combination with a casing adapted to be supported at the end of a car, and containing a plurality of contact fingers connected to the respective circuits, or a movable carrier with contact bars for connecting said contact fingers with the corresponding contacts of a counterpart coupler on the adjacent car, a piston for actuating said carrier, and a valve for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to said piston.

25. In a coupling for electric. train line circuits, the combination of a casing, fixed contact fingers mounted therein and connected to the respective circuits, a movable con tact carrier normally held out of operative position, and a fiuid pressure mechanism for shifting said contact carrier to its operative position to establish electrical connection between said fixed contacts and the corresponding fixed contacts of an adjacent car.

26. in an electrical coupling mechanism for cars, the combination of a casing adapted to be supported upon the end of a car, a movable contact carrier mounted in a normally inoperative position in said casing, a movable member operatively connected to said carrier, contact fingers mounted in said casing and connected to the respective train line circuits, and means for actuating said movable member to shift the contact carrier to'its operative position to establish electrical connection with the contacts of a counterpart'coupling mechanism on in adjacent car.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 19 day of June A. D. 1912.

CHAR-LES H. TOMLINSON.

Witnesses:

C. MARKS, G. L. BUGHAY. 

